Australian ace fast bowler Mitchell Starc plans to play in the lucrative Twenty20 Indian Premier League (IPL) again in the IPL 2024 season, making it his first appearance in the league in eight years.
With his unique pace and skill, Australia’s Starc has the potential to become one of the most sought-after players for franchises. This could spice up the IPL 2024 auction. Given his track record in T20 cricket and the desire of clubs to improve their fast-bowling lineups for the league, his inclusion could spark furious bidding wars.
Starc represents Australia in all three of the major global cricket formats: Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODI), and T20Is. He is a left-arm fast bowler and a middle-order left-handed batsman. He is known as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the limited overs format and was the best bowler in ODI cricket in 2015.
Starc is known for his ability to bowl fast. His quickest delivery records at nearly 160.4 km/h. This is the fastest ball ever in a Test match—and for producing reverse swing with his deliveries.
Mitchell Starc IPL Journey
In total, Starc has made 27 appearances in two seasons for Royal Challengers Bangalore.If signed by a team, it would mark his first league outing since 2015.
Kolkata Knight Riders got him in 2018, but he withdrew owing to an injury. At other times, he thought about returning but decided to prioritize time at home amid a busy multi-format schedule for Australia.
Mitchell Starc has been one of the world’s fiercest bowlers. The speed, seam, and swing that he gets makes every batter shiver.
But he has been absent from the lucrative league action due to injury and his demanding national obligations with the Australian cricket team. Despite spending only a short time with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he had to leave the team early due to an injury.
Mitchell Starc consistently put his country’s obligations ahead of his return plans in the past. The 33-year-old has played in 27 IPL games and got an amazing 34 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 7.17.
Starc focuses on the potential of IPL 2024 participation as a great method to be ready for the next T20 World Cup, which is scheduled for June of next year, in a recent chat on the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast.
“Look, eight years have gone by. I’ll definitely return next year. It’s a great buildup to the T20 World Cup among other things. Therefore, it’s a fantastic chance to have an interest in the IPL 2024, which precedes the T20 World Cup. In addition, next winter will be quite calm unlike this year. So I believe it’s a great moment to put my name forward,” Starc said.
Goals beyond the IPL
One of the main reasons Mitchell Starc avoided the IPL in the past was so he could concentrate only on Test cricket. He doesn’t specify a duration for his career in cricket. But he wants to play in the format 100 times. Only fast bowler Glenn McGrath has achieved the feat for Australia.
The speedster, however, has goals beyond the IPL 2024 and is currently taking part in the World Cup in India.
“We want to perform well at the World Cup 2023. The next set of events is a run of five Test matches in Australia. Additionally, I haven’t yet got the chance to play a Test in New Zealand. So I aim to take part in that tour and rise to the occasion,” the bowler from Baulkham Hills remarked.
Besides IPL, Mitchell Starc has 82 Australia Test caps and is steadfastly working toward the incredible feat of 100 Test appearances for his country.
“I try not to plan too far in advance, not just go to 100 [Tests]. I hope to perform well enough to be selected for 100 tests. Then you look at the one-day format, it’s around four years between World Cups. So where do I fit into all of that? But I first have to go through this World Cup, Starc said.
There are about four years between World Cups in the one-day event. What role do I see for myself in that scenario? But I have to win this World Cup first.
“But there are some superstars on the way. YYou have your Spencer Johnsons, Jhye Richardsons, and Sean Abbotts. Many young men are coming through. [Lance] Morris will become a weapon”.
